He smiles

 Our week went well.  No meltdowns, no fits.  Just lots (and lots) of sleep and smiles.  Oh, and there were cookies.  He may or may not have eaten 2 dozen of Jeanette’s famous chocolate chip cookies in about 5 days but, whatever.

His tribe rallied and got him out of the house a few times this week.  Lunches and a little shopping.  Drag races in Sonoma and axe throwing.  Then 2 days poolside.  Water basketball, splashing the girls and snacks.

He is now absolutely exhausted but… he smiles♥️

Times like these provide me the ability to see the blessings in our storm.  We have amazing friends and family.  We are blessed with an army of support.  We could be reclusive and lonesome, which is the typical way of things with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis.  People fear what makes them uncomfortable, which results in avoidance.  

Not our people!  They take his excessive calls. Now, let me be clear.. “excessive” takes on a whole new meaning when your friend with Alz has your phone number saved in his phone.  (To those of you who endure the hours of endless calls, you are Saints!) 

They listen to the story he just has to tell, for the 100th time, just like they are hearing it for the first time.  They pump him up.  They agree and nod when his sentences don’t make much sense. They ask how he is doing.  They ask how WE are doing.  They bring him Starbucks.  They take him to In-n-Out.  They send me flowers.  They shower us with love.

Alzheimers is not our dirty little secret.  Alzheimer’s is not the elephant in our room.  We parade it around all lit up with tassels!

So, yes, we have a lot to be sad and angry about.  We are being robbed of our future plans.  I will not grow old with this man.  He will not see his grandchildren grow up, get married, have their own children.  It’s not fair!

But we have our tribe, we have love and we’ve still got time.

And, thanks to Jeanette, we have another couple dozen fresh chocolate chip cookies!

Cheers!